Speaking to reporters at the airport as he boarded a flight to England, Soldado said: "I think everybody knows about Gareth Bale. He's a great player. It will be hard to keep him but I hope he stays with Tottenham."

Double Player of the Year Bale's recently-departed Spurs team-mate Steven Caulker reckons the 24-year-old has earned the right to move.

Caulker, now at Cardiff, told Sky Sports News: "It's a tough call, but if he does go fair play to him, he really deserves it. I wish him all the best."